A MAN who drunkenly performed an oral sex act on his sleeping male friend has been spared an immediate prison sentence after pleading guilty to sexual assault.

Jordan Jones-Bale, of Reginald Road in St Helens, had been drinking at various pubs in Warrington on June 29 and then went back to a friend’s house with two other people.

Prosecution barrister Paulinus Barnes said at 3.30am Jones-Bale and the victim, who had been friends for many years, went to sleep on two separate sofas in the living room.

He said: “The victim woke up to the sensation of someone performing oral sex on him and realised his boxer shorts had been pulled down. He got up immediately, stood up and left the room.”

The police were called and Jones-Bale, 23, was arrested.

Mr Barnes said: “The victim indicated that he was straight and had never given any sign otherwise. Swabs were taken from him and found to match the DNA of the defendant.”

Defending, Jeremy Rawson said the incident was completely out of character and had had a big impact on Jones-Bale’s parents and girlfriend.

He said: “It was like waking in the middle of a nightmare for the victim. Their friendship is over. This was an act of complete madness for which he has no explanation. It has caused him considerable concern.

“He has a strong, loving relationship with his partner, with whom he resides. He said he had kissed males in fun, joke and play rather than in a sexual nature.

“He is a perfectly honest man. He has shown considerable remorse and poses a low risk of reoffending.”

Judge Roger Dutton handed Jones-Bale a two year suspended sentence and said: “You performed a rather bizarre and squalid sexual act on the friend who was out with you, a friend of yours for many years.

“You have a partner, you say you have no homosexual desires but for the victim of your attentions it must have been a dreadful shock.

“You have taken full responsibility for what took place. Why it happened remains a mystery.

“You pleaded guilty and that has saved you probably from going to prison – this is a significant offence.”